Peyton Stovall: 'It's a dream come true to play at the University of Arkansas'

Arkansas was one of the best teams in college baseball this season but was surprisingly bounced out of the NCAA Tournament in the regionals. One they hosted as well, dropping a Sunday elimination game to Southeast Missouri State in front of their home fans. Not the result anybody in the Razorbacks dugout wanted, with some careers coming to an end.

One of those was likely shortstop Peyton Stovall who despite being a junior is likely heading to the 2024 MLB Draft. Stovall reflected on his career with Arkansas, saying it was a “dream come true” to play for the program these last three years.

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“Since I’ve come in here, I’ve matured so much,” Stovall said. “I’m just grateful for the coaches and Coach Van Horn for giving me an opportunity that he recruited me here. It’s a dream come true to play at the University of Arkansas. It’s one of the best baseball schools in the country. I’ve grown so much as a person under him and under this staff. That’s something you can’t take away.”

Stovall was a captain for the 2024 season and played 48 games at second base. He had a career year at the plate, hitting .340 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs while sporting an OPS of .944. By far his best year of college baseball despite Arkansas coming up short.

Arkansas did make the College World Series once with Stovall as a freshman. During his true freshman season, the Hogs got through the regionals and a Super Regional before making a trip to Omaha. But needing two wins over Ole Miss to advance to the championship series, just one occurred for another heartbreaking exit.

No matter what happened on the field, Stovall is proud of what he and all his teammates have accomplished while in school. Stovall believes looking past baseball, everybody is going to have success off the field because of the great personalities surrounding him — more credit to what Dave Van Horn has built over the years.

“Grateful for these guys,” Stovall said. “We’ve played a lot of games together. They’re awesome people. It doesn’t matter what happens in life, these guys are going to be successful. Because we’re all really good kids and that’s a testament to the staff and who they recruit. I love these guys.”